Wonderful Christmas

Alice doing her Santa bit
Val and Al saying thanks to each other

Yours truly and Al

Val, Ches and Al

Ches and Al thanking each other

Val with someone doing a super mature thing behind her. Well, Peter Pan never grew up!

Ches checking out a pressie with a grinning whatsit behind her

Holly showing great patience with Santa Al opening her pressie

Al finally finds Santa's letter. It was under the dirty dishes he left!

Al, Ches, Nikki and Silv

Dinner table set. Name tabs by Alice! We had a late change of flower centre as the flowers from Aussie wouldn't fit in the twig thing Val bought!!

Just a quickie to say Hi to one and all and hope you all had a super Christmas.

The festivities at 122 have been long and full of food and good cheer. A visit to the bottle bank this morning was testimony to that! Taking into account that I don't drink alcohol anymore I wonder where all the bottles came from. A plastic box full of Stella bottles just for starters!! Val claims to not know how on earth that happened. Al stood in the pouring rain today getting rid of all the little green bottles, a damn sight more than 10, whilst I got soaked doing the clear and brown one's.

Al and I then headed to Home Park to get our tickets for the Hull FA Cup match. It will be our first visit to Home Park this season, shows how busy we have been as we normally take in a game every six weeks or so. Still, this year we watched the Cup draw and Al gave an almighty cheer when the Mighty Greens name came out of the "hat" first. Could have something to do with me promising that we would go if it was a home tie.

This year the board has been sensible and dropped the prices for the 3rd round tie. £15 for me and they are running "kids for a quid" so just £1 for Al. Sensible because I will get moaned at in the coming weeks if we don't go out for a couple of league matches. The board are learning, get the kids in for the future and if the kids want to go then an adult has to take them, and maybe get back into the the swing of live games again!

As I said earlier, Christmas was super. Ches and Al came around about 11 ish and Al did the Santa bit handing out the pressies. Funny how each family seems to set up it's own Christmas day tradition. Cheryl's friend Nikki and her mum Silvia came around for Christmas dinner and a good time was had by all. See piccies above!

Boxing day meant cold turkey and chicken along with the, now famous, "Podga's Chutney". Ol' Brownfingers did us proud, it was "bootiful". Val's sister Silv and her hubby George came around yesterday and we had some of the aforementioned Chutney with cheese and crackers. Silv does a lot of cooking and George has been growing his own tomatoes since the war (the big one in the 40's). They both appreciated the Chutney, so well done to Podga. All we have to do now is get a bit of sense into him when it comes to football teams.

Ches has been at work this afternoon and is about to go back on late shift and a night sleepover shift, so Al is around with us tonight. Ches took her car for MOT today, we knew that she needed new tyres but there was some brake work needed as well. Anyway £220 (all but a few pence) on top of the car tax yesterday has brought a few tears to her eyes!!!! Now she is back in work she can afford to run the car but they are very expensive beasts aren't they!

As usual time is creeping on. All that remains is to wish one and all a super end to 2007 and a cracking and successful 2008. Sister Mary is in Florida and hoping that the air strike isn't called off whilst other sissy Clare is working on her teleseminar in sunny NZ. Bro Tony is walking (or riding his bike more likely) on the beat in Aussie. Meanwhile I am looking out of my window at the dark and the rain. Well actually I am looking at all the flashing Christmas lights, it's quite pretty really.

Is it really nearly two weeks??

I was amazed when I discovered that it has been nearly two weeks since the last post. How on earth have you all survived without your regular dose?

The run up to the Christmas festivities put you in a position in which you need a couple of weeks off to get a rest!! I assume that you all have been busy busy busy so I will not go on about how flaming busy I have been. Just not enough hours in a day. Tried to go without my regular sleep earlier this week and that didn't work at all!

Big news of the moment is that Ches has got herself a job. Like London buses she had three turn up at once. Why does the Universe work like that eh? She started her first shift in her new employment yesterday evening. She is working with vulnerable adults. I reckon it will suit her down to the ground, but I must admit to being biased. She has another shadow shift on Monday then straight into the deep end. She starts 10 ish Monday morning on her shadow, then 15.00 hrs she starts her normal shift. Finished a 22.00 hrs and goes straight into a sleeping shift. Finishing at 07.00 on Tuesday morning. She certainly enjoyed last night so hopefully all will be well. 6 months probation. Al was chuffed to meatballs. Her first reaction was "great mum can save for her Disney ticket now" As a matter of interest Al has already saved her money for Disney. Sitting in a building Society account building up interest - a chip off the old block!!!

For those of you interest Operation Hall has been put on hold until the New Year. Christmas decorations and ripped off wallpaper just don't mix!!

Does anyone know how the Mighty Green Army got on today ? They were away to the League leaders - Watford. No way are we going to do anything up there. Ooops NewsFlash. The Hornets have been stung. 89th minute goal gave the Greens a 1-0 lead. Wonder how it ended? Oh, there you go... that's the final score!!!! I hear the tractor boys dragged out a home victory against lesser opposition, they conceded goals again? (note the use of the plural there).

Talking about tractor boys let's see how Brown Fingers the Chutney King is getting on.

"Suffolk Sojourn 30/137. Greetings - as we career towards the silly season. Firstly - gross apologies to your 'lil Sis Clare for my typo in the last - it's Korimoko - sorry. Still, it's nevertheless Paradise by the looks of it.
No updates from the Blogmaster of late - hope all is ok and you haven't fallen off the ladder reaching the parts Val couldn't on the landing. As I scribe - the Tractor Boys are preparing to defend their unbeaten home record against Leicester, a team your renegade ex-Pilgrims manager is now inspiring. (Don't mention Ipswichs' appalling away record). This is the game in hand match that will take Ipswich one point above Plymouth if they succeed. I'm not holding my breath though - still, early days!!
Anyway, apologies for comms silence - been laid up with major back problem and unable to focus on anything for more than 2 minutes (Nothing new there then)!
Chutney's in the post - mind you, Customs legalities were a real pain.Blue Skies. "

I must admit to be looking forward to the Chutney delivery. At the moment the postie is making a daily delivery to us. HMV have a daily offer DVD wise. Have picked up some cracking bargains recently. Busy replacing videos with DVD's. Al now has all my old videos and is planning a car boot sale.

We haven't heard from HR from a while. Well he has made up for it now. As usual he can't hack the technicalities of the comments system so I post his e-mails - less the juicy bits!!

"Hiya , I am stricken with a need for heavy music! I saw a You tube item 'a tribute to soviet strategic airpower' or similar and it has a soundtrack with it from Linkin Park .The lyrics immediately made me think of an ex girlfriend, and my time with her, and so is indelibly printed in my soul now !
Oh well.Meanwhile everything else is going fine. I am flying TZ on Friday and have just sent off my FAC to have the Mauser and Mosin Nagant rifles cleared for target shooting. I began using my reloading equipments a few weeks ago and tested my first .22 Hornet rounds on the range without blowing myself up! It really is very satisfying making ammunition !! It also means I can save a bit of money in the long term.
Mum, bless her ,moved from a house to a flat and delivered a fait accompli in that I had to provide the floor covering costs ( that was £420) ; so (having just split up) it inspired ex girlfriend to ask me to give back some of the money she had contributed to 'us'. Her logic was that since we were not together there was no 'us'; so she could have it back to finance the cost of her divorce!
But she has worked her little bum off in the house and there is paint and paper and a home to show for it; so I do not really begrudge it her. She made this place look lovely and I am now over the hill I was climbing before she passed into and out of my life.
Unfortunately I had spent a lot on my visa ,buying these toys and their collective timing could not have been worse! So I am on minimum spend for the next few months ! My pension goes up in october ,when I reach 55 , and I will use that to pay off the loan for the camper van.
Then I will make it work for me I think.I will get out and do things ! The shooting is proving to be good as a way of meeting people and I am learning all the time. Hopefully I will be able to go Deer Stalking at some stage (I hope that is in there just to wind me and mine up!! - ed).
It is quiet on the Eastern Front until next year but I shall not be touching the vodka at all now. My evening with the Poles (bless em) and the falling over a lot and lying in a hedge (and being sick!) have put me off the vodka a bit. Not the Poles though : they were ace! I hope all is well with you and yours?
You have been a bit quiet recently and that worries me because you may be building a space ship in the cellar! I have read and tried to understand the blog ,and tried again to write a reply ( I am loath to say anything after having need described as 'banging on') ! It seems full of lots of interesting people most of whom seem to be called or related to Podgah.It would be interesting to put up a 'hall of fame ' so people can see who goes with what name.
I am thoroughly enjoying the funnies through the email thanks. some are gems and I know that my friends appreciate the ones I relay. I had better trot; I made home-made burgers for tea and stink of cooking ! I will have a bath with aroma therapy oils , mmmmmmm where is that rubber duck?..Have fun. "

You may have guessed that age hasn't mellowed HR. You know those people Ches is working with .......

This is a reply to an e-mail I had sent HR telling him that I was doing the Santa bit again and how one has to be careful nowadays with kids and sitting on knee for photos. Well, last year a tipsy mother brought in her tipsy daughter foe a photo and insisted the daughter sat on my knee. I was foolish enough to tell him!! Incidentally, did the Santa thing yesterday and a fun time was had by all, except the two or three month old baby that was fascinated by the lights and was happy enough until he/she spotted the big weirdo in the red suit in the corner!!!!

"Hi , ta for the reply.oooh the thought of a 24year old on my knee.....!
I have been trying hard to form a picture of the people on the blog and am reading it regularly if erratically! It was nice that they asked about the Firefly but I didn`t feel said any more than anyone else?
It is difficult to be interesting to somebody you have never met. I will get there though. I either say too much or too little !! Sorry that i have not been down as I intended: I shall i promise. I often think back to how Gail and I visited you ,was it at Thorney Island? I remember you tried to help me with a transfer to the RAF and I was really grateful for the support. I know we both came to St Mawgan ! I had a chap contact me this week who was at my "old school" The Franciscan College, at Buckingham. Sounds posh just saying where it was ! It was run by Franciscan monks in the full riot gear! He was as scarred as I was psychologically afterwards He was called Alan Wetherill but is now called Alan Urdaibay. Normal stuff I suppose !!
I am busy writing crimbo cards and reading about "cartridge head-space" when my flowing script gets scruffy ! I had better trot. look after the rein deer .
brief Swedish joke : What is the cleanest animal in the world? The Reindeer. Cos they call it a riendjur (pron : ree-en.yure)and djur is an animal and ren means "clean or pure" so it is the only animal where all you do is take away the "i" and it is clean. Well something like that ! "

And here is the final bit

"Can I wish everyone ,wherever they are, on the blog a very happy holiday and the very best in health and happiness in the new year and beyod (i`m sorry I ev a cold!) . I don`t really ; its a tie po !! PS : I am finding it difficult to get those "deck" high-heels out of my mind !!"

And with that I will end to days wonder through the valleys of my mind. Did I mention that Val has our front room looking like Blackpool on a bad day? Ah well, she is happy so I will just have to pay the electricity bill with a smile. Nearly time for a cuppa tea.
Happy Christmas to one and all.

In the spirit of Christmas over to you

See the bit from Sunset Zoe below

As it says in the title I intend to hand over the blog today to my dear friends. In order to stop any bickering I am posting in order of receipt!

First, our oldest correspondent it's the one you all love and find difficulty understanding Podga!

"Suffolk Sojourn 29/137. Greetings - and I'll open with the fact that the Pilgrims travelled to West Brom last night and returned empty handed. More excuses about Managers upping stix and leaving at short notice. A quick check on the league table tells me the Tractor Boys are still up above them. Early Days - as we move into Xmas!

Leon (AKA Golly/Mick Russell) rang recently, and gave me the Spanish Inquisition as to what the hell was PB on about! I explained patiently, as he also then asked what the HR's aircraft photo was. I had to tactfully suggest he read the Blog regularly - otherwise it would never quite gel! He promised to comment as he was on a rare day off, but nothing seen to date.

Anyway - excellent photo's from Clare - she's a looker your 'lil sister - but the sailing footwear! Nice to see Purdah Dark is up and running as such - what a wonderful environment to spend your formative years. Kokimoko looks like paradise - been out there yet Paulie? (A bit better than my sister Claire's outlook in Kentish Town!)

Chutney is bottled - want some? You didn't say. Blue Skies. "

The age is getting to him you see. The mighty Greens were home to WBA and had a little slip. He forgot to mention the wonderful away win to the team of the moment - Sheff Utd. His eyesight is also going a little out of kilter. All that jumping from aeroplanes and rarefied atmosphere. Who is closer to the top of the league? Hmmm. Also re Chutney, Damn right I do, get a chance to taste what those little brown fingers have been up to over the years!

For those of you wondering, back in the good old days Claire (Chris's one) put us up over night before we headed to see the Stones headline at Knebworth. It was also my introduction to Lynyrd Skynyrd. From "who the hell are they" to on my feet shouting for more. "Freebird" in the open air!!!! It was also the last time I saw Leon, so on that note here is the man himself.

"Thought you might like this for the blog.........
best
Leon

The seven dwarfs are down in the mines when there is a cave-in.

Snow White runs to the entrance and yells down to them "Is anyone there, can you hear me, say something".
In the distance a voice shouts out "I think Spurs are good enough to win the Premiership this year and the Tractor Boys will finish above the Mighty Green Army."
Snow White says "Thank God you're okay Dopey - is anyone else alive down there?"

I have asked Podga and Leon if they want to be included in our little humour distribution via e-mail group. Can't get a sensible reply so they both miss out on the laughs. However, someone who is an active member of that group and has provided some good old belly laughs over the years is Sunset Zoe. And as coincidence would have it - here she is!! Firstly let me explain that in her previous e-mail she had asked why Blue Skies called her "Sunset Zoe". This happened months ago but she has had technical problems. Don't forget she lives in Holland - the land of Whacky Baccy!

"Cheeky git!
Okay maybe that jab was well deserved after all it did take me a month to reply. Fortunately my service level to our customers is not quite so lackadaisical. I just have trouble concentrating at this time of year (too dark, far too dark) and I end up making some mistakes and forgetting things then in February or March finance finds my mistakes and I end up spending a week making corrections and feeling rather stupid and hoping I don't get demoted down to tea girl. .............oh there it goes again ........my mind wandering all over the place......now what was I saying.......oh never mind.........I've forgotten already.

I think the Beatles put it quite nicely

"I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in and stops my mind from wandering where it will go I'm filling the cracks that ran though the door and kept my mind from wandering where it will go"
I've got this poster pinned up on my cubical wall to try and make me feel better but I think it's stopped working, think I need a new one, change of scenery."

Now you know why there is a picture of Paradise at the top of today's post.

I am sure (hoping) that Al will get around to updating her blog at some time and tell us all about "Daisy", the eight week old Hamster that now resides in her bedroom. Billy the Cat has shown a great interest and even snoozy Suki has woken up! Oh deep joy.